US5361479A - Method of assembly for inflatable packer - Google Patents
Method of assembly for inflatable packer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5361479A US5361479A US07/981,714 US98171492A US5361479A US 5361479 A US5361479 A US 5361479A US 98171492 A US98171492 A US 98171492A US 5361479 A US5361479 A US 5361479A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- slats
- age
- welded
- inflatable packer
- packer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 4
- 238000003483 aging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035882 stress Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/127—Packers; Plugs with inflatable sleeve
- E21B33/1277—Packers; Plugs with inflatable sleeve characterised by the construction or fixation of the sleeve
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49877—Assembling or joining of flexible wall, expansible chamber devices [e.g., bellows]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/4998—Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material
Definitions
- This invention relates to the art of production of subterranean fluid through a wellbore and more particularly, to an inflatable packer or bridge plug useful in temporarily isolating portions of a wellbore.
- An inflatable packer typically comprises a tubular base and a surrounding, inflatable elastomeric bladder or sleeve. Fluid passages within the tubular body allow fluids to contact the inflatable bladder and expand the bladder radially outwardly to effect sealing engagement with a borehole or well casing.
- the elastomeric bladder Since the elastomeric bladder is subjected to both expansion pressure and abrasion or cutting forces, it has been common to surround the exterior surface of the bladder with a plurality of peripherally overlapping, resilient reinforcing slats or ribs. There is generally sufficient overlap of such slats that upon expansion of the inflatable bladder, the slats remain as a surrounding armor protecting the bladder from abrasion and cuts while also preventing extrusion of the bladder elastomer between the slats in a localized area. The slats are commonly welded to a portion of the assembly to retain their desired position and orientation.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,154 describes one frozen of slat weldment.
- the reinforcing slats cannot effect the sealing of the packer against a wellbore or casing, at least some portions of the reinforcing slats are surrounded by and may be bonded to an outer annular elastomeric cover or packing element which, upon expansion of the inflatable packer, comes into pressure sealing engagement with the wellbore or casing.
- the outer sealing cover generally comprises either a single or a plurality of annular circumferential elastomeric pieces located on the outer surface of the reinforcing slats.
- a single elastomeric piece When a single elastomeric piece is employed it may cover only a portion of the longitudinal length of the slats or, alternatively, it may cover the entire outer surface of the slats.
- Such single piece covers generally have a uniform thickness along their length, the thickness generally being substantial. Such arrangements are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,947, 4,832,120 and 5,143,154.
- Slat reinforced inflatable packers are typically constructed of high strength, cold-worked slats welded to an end connector.
- the resulting heat affected zone of the slats has significantly lower strength (as much as 70% lower strength) than the unwelded portions of the slats. Such a condition substantially reduces the overall strength of the packer.
- the present invention overcomes the reduction in packer strength as a result of welding high strength cold-worked steel slats.
- the method of assembly of an inflatable packer includes the attachment of a plurality of reinforcing slats to an end connector of the packer.
- the improvement comprises the sequential steps of forming the slats of an age hardening material in annealed condition, welding the slats to the end fitting and age hardening the resultant welded slats and end fitting.
- the aforementioned age hardening step includes heat treatment of welded slats and end fitting.
- FIG. 1 schematic view of an inflatable packer in use prior to inflation
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1 showing the inflatable packer in the inflated condition
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of a portion of the end fitting of an inflatable packer illustrating slat weldment in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the inflatable packer device in its run-in condition prior to inflation.
- the inflatable packer may be one packing element of a bridge plug or only a single packer employed to isolate one part of a wellbore from another.
- the packer element 10 includes a tubular base portion 12 and is interconnected with a coupling member 14 to a tubular string 16 extending to the surface.
- the tubular string 16 can be formed by coupling individual sections of pipe or, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a continuous length of coiled tubing inserted into the wellbore 18 having a casing 20.
- the packer element 10 generally comprises an inflatable portion 22 with at least one and possibly two associated end fittings 24. It will be further understood that the inflatable packer may be associated with one or more downhole tools such as to effect the injection of various fluids into isolated portions of the wellbore 18.
- the inflatable portion 22 of the packer element 10 is expanded through the application of fluid pressure to the interior of the inflatable portion and expanded outwardly into engagement with the casing 20 (FIG. 2). It will be understood that while the use of the inflatable packer of the present invention is shown in conjunction with a cased borehole, the inflatable packer may also be used in an uncased wellbore under appropriate conditions known to those skilled in the art.
- a plurality of overlapping slats 10 are welded at their end portions to an end fitting 24 with a weld bead 26. While the assembly is shown with the slats 10 welded to an inner cylindrical surface of the end fitting 24, it will be appreciated that other arrangements are possible such as the welding of the slats 10 to the end face 28 of the end fitting 24 or, possibly, the outer surface 30 of the end fitting 24.
- the slat material is 3013/4 hard stainless steel.
- the yield strength of cold-worked material is 135 ksi minimum.
- the heat affected zone adjacent the welded ends of the slats 10 has the properties of annealed material which has a yield strength of 40 ksi.
- the slat in this heat affected area is 70% weaker than the rest of the slat.
- the slats 10 are formed of an age-hardening material which is welded in the annealed condition and then aged. Following age-hardening, the slat has full age-hardened strength which is equal to that of cold-worked stainless steel which has not been affected by heat. Additionally, the weld material can easily have a strength greater than that of the slat.
- the strength of the slats formed of the age-hardening material can be elevated to an even greater degree by heat treating in accordance with practices familiar to those skilled in the art.
- the slats 10 are formed of an age-hardening material which is welded to the end fitting 24 in the annealed condition,
- the welded assembly is solution annealed at approximately 1700° to 2000° F. for one hour to relieve residual stresses and to form a more uniform microstructure in weld heat affected zone.
- the annealed assembly is aged to harden the slats 10, end fitting 24 and weld 26.
- Many age-hardening treatments are possible in accordance with practices familiar to those skilled in the art.
- One possible two stage age-hardening is to age at 1400° F. for ten hours then furnace cool to 1200° F. and hold for total aging time of twenty hours.
- the welded slat assembly has a strength which is equal to, or greater than, that of cold-worked stainless steel which has not been affected by welding.
Landscapes
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
- Heat Treatment Of Articles (AREA)
- Sealing Material Composition (AREA)
- Gasket Seals (AREA)
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/981,714 US5361479A (en) | 1992-11-25 | 1992-11-25 | Method of assembly for inflatable packer |
CA002103094A CA2103094A1 (en) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-11-15 | Slat retention for inflatable packer |
DE69315963T DE69315963D1 (de) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-11-23 | Lattenhaltevorrichtung für einen aufblasbaren Packer |
EP93203278A EP0599423B1 (en) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-11-23 | Slat retention for inflatable packer |
DK931321A DK132193A (da) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-11-24 | Lamelfastholdelse ved en oppustelig pakning |
NO934259A NO934259L (no) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-11-24 | Fremgangsmåte for montering av en ekspanderbar pakning |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/981,714 US5361479A (en) | 1992-11-25 | 1992-11-25 | Method of assembly for inflatable packer |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5361479A true US5361479A (en) | 1994-11-08 |
Family
ID=25528596
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/981,714 Expired - Fee Related US5361479A (en) | 1992-11-25 | 1992-11-25 | Method of assembly for inflatable packer |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5361479A (da) |
EP (1) | EP0599423B1 (da) |
CA (1) | CA2103094A1 (da) |
DE (1) | DE69315963D1 (da) |
DK (1) | DK132193A (da) |
NO (1) | NO934259L (da) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6431274B1 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2002-08-13 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Well packer |
US6680246B2 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2004-01-20 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Process for forming a nitride film |
US20100071911A1 (en) * | 2008-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | Gilles Carree | System and Method for Forming a Seal in a Wellbore |
US20100122821A1 (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2010-05-20 | Pierre-Yves Corre | Packer System With Reduced Friction During Actuation |
US20100294516A1 (en) * | 2009-05-21 | 2010-11-25 | Pierre-Yves Corre | Anti-Extrusion Packer System |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5439053A (en) * | 1993-07-13 | 1995-08-08 | Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated | Reinforcing slat for inflatable packer |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3837947A (en) * | 1969-05-01 | 1974-09-24 | Lynes Inc | Method of forming an inflatable member |
US4832120A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-05-23 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable tool for a subterranean well |
US4951747A (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1990-08-28 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable tool |
US5143154A (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1992-09-01 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable packing element |
US5195583A (en) * | 1990-09-27 | 1993-03-23 | Solinst Canada Ltd | Borehole packer |
-
1992
- 1992-11-25 US US07/981,714 patent/US5361479A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1993
- 1993-11-15 CA CA002103094A patent/CA2103094A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-11-23 DE DE69315963T patent/DE69315963D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-11-23 EP EP93203278A patent/EP0599423B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-11-24 NO NO934259A patent/NO934259L/no unknown
- 1993-11-24 DK DK931321A patent/DK132193A/da not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3837947A (en) * | 1969-05-01 | 1974-09-24 | Lynes Inc | Method of forming an inflatable member |
US4832120A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-05-23 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable tool for a subterranean well |
US4951747A (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1990-08-28 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable tool |
US5143154A (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1992-09-01 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Inflatable packing element |
US5195583A (en) * | 1990-09-27 | 1993-03-23 | Solinst Canada Ltd | Borehole packer |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6680246B2 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2004-01-20 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Process for forming a nitride film |
US6431274B1 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2002-08-13 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Well packer |
US20100071911A1 (en) * | 2008-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | Gilles Carree | System and Method for Forming a Seal in a Wellbore |
US7896089B2 (en) | 2008-09-23 | 2011-03-01 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and method for forming a seal in a wellbore |
US20100122821A1 (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2010-05-20 | Pierre-Yves Corre | Packer System With Reduced Friction During Actuation |
US8573314B2 (en) | 2008-11-20 | 2013-11-05 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Packer system with reduced friction during actuation |
US20100294516A1 (en) * | 2009-05-21 | 2010-11-25 | Pierre-Yves Corre | Anti-Extrusion Packer System |
US8474524B2 (en) | 2009-05-21 | 2013-07-02 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Anti-extrusion packer system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69315963D1 (de) | 1998-02-05 |
DK132193A (da) | 1994-05-26 |
EP0599423A2 (en) | 1994-06-01 |
EP0599423B1 (en) | 1997-12-29 |
EP0599423A3 (en) | 1995-05-31 |
NO934259D0 (no) | 1993-11-24 |
NO934259L (no) | 1994-05-26 |
DK132193D0 (da) | 1993-11-24 |
CA2103094A1 (en) | 1994-05-26 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DOWELL SCHLUMBERGER INCORPORATED, OKLAHOMA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:SOREM, ROBERT M.;REEL/FRAME:006369/0449 Effective date: 19921130 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20061108 |